TEHRAN (IQNA) – The former owners of a book shop in Bradford, Britain, have apologized after copies of Islamic literature were put in a skip outside the store.

The incident at the former Book Centre in White Abbey Road,
Bradford., caused outrage on social media.

Police have confirmed they attended a disturbance, and are
looking into the matter.

The Book Centre has closed down and the new owners have
given the previous owners a month to move out the stock, which included a
number of Qurans and other Islamic books.

A spokesman for The Book Store said some Islamic literature
had been put in a skip, but denied that included any Qurans.

He said: "It has come to our attention that some
Islamic materials were found in a skip next to Book Centre.

"While the Book Centre site is being cleared, no
Islamic material of any sort was purposefully disposed of.

"A small workforce was instructed to clear two
storerooms from which some material made its way into the skip.

"This is wrong, unacceptable and a genuine mistake.

"The skip will be looked at as a matter of urgency and
any materials removed.

"We take such matters very seriously and would like to
reconfirm that this has been a genuine mistake on the part of those filling the
skip after repeated advice and guidance by the proprietor as to what material
must not be thrown away."

The spokesman also criticized a "group of
individuals" who arrived at the store during the afternoon of
"harassing and bullying" the shop's 80-year-old former owner, who was
"not responsible for the filling of the skip".

"The store rooms were cleared by non-Book Centre staff
who were given clear direction as to what they were meant to do and how they
were meant to do it.

"What has happened here is a case of genuine human
error, we are really disappointed."

The spokesman also said people "not associated with the
Book Centre" had been entering the premises and removing Qurans and other
property.

The incident has been reported to the police.

Reacting to images and posts uploaded on social media last
night, a spokesman for Baker Reign Solicitors, which represents the new owners,
said: "The board of directors of our client are very conscious that the
Holy Quran needs to be treated with the utmost respect particularly as they are
practicing Muslims.

"Our client therefore condemns the treatment and
mishandling of the Holy Quran in such an obscene manner.

"Should our client have been aware that the previous
owner would have sought to dispose of the Holy Quran and other books in this
manner they would have assisted in distributing the books to various Mosques
throughout the city.

"Our client now hopes that the previous owner takes a
more responsible course of action by distributing the books to those less
fortunate and in need of Islamic guidance”.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "Police
were called to commercial premises in White Abbey Road at about 3.19pm
yesterday, following reports of males shouting and abusing staff.

"The caller said they were clearing out a stock room
and had been accused of throwing away Islamic literature.

"Officers attended and spoke to the males who said they
had suspicions Islamic literature was being put in a skip.

"Police were called to the premises again at around 6pm
after reports of theft from the premises.